Their name has exploded into the music scene. Their crazy antics, high-energy, crunk/dance filled shows have given them one of the best live concert experiences you’ll find in all music. This all accomplished with just one release! Family Force 5 is back! Are you ready?
It’s been a year and half since their incredible debut release, Business Up Front/Party in the Back, and in that time, a new dynamic to FF5’s sound has transpired. From our very first taste to the last crumb, sophomore release, Dance or Die, gives us another great party!
With that out of the way, the party begins with the epic title track, “Dance or Die.” It gives you the first glimpse into the new era of Family Force 5. The diverse and partly quirky, “Get Your Back Off the Wall,” flows through your speakers next. Between it’s purposeful out of key singing to it’s mixed, diced, and chopped up chorus, this song brings a new aspect to the FF5 spectrum. “Rip It Up” continues with hooks and electronics, before long you’ll be singing, “Rip it up, rip it up!” We see our first ballad of the record, that’s right, a ballad! “How in the World” is the first glimpse into a few love ballads we hear in the record. However, this is the more positive ones. People are calling the next tune Dance or Die’s, “Luv Addict,” true or not, “Fever” explodes into one of the best tracks on the record, while giving us the most of that classic FF5 crunk sound we’ve come to know and love. “Party Foul” comes next, it showcases more of the same, and is a little bit repetitive. “D-I-E 4 Y-O-U” blazes through, probably one of my favorites, primarily because of diverse vocals. We’re exposed to another love ballad, as Crouton shares with us in, “Share it With Me.” Unlike, “How in the World,” this one is about a break-up. It has an R&B feel and gives us variety. “The First Time,” another positive love song, about what the title implies, the first time. The insane “Wake the Dead” comes flying in as song number 10. One of the catchiest songs on the record, it quickly can become a favorite! Coming is last is the explosive “Radiator.” It too showcases good ol’ FF5, but with a twist. It too has an irresistible hook, and will have you singing along in no time!
People have complained how FF5 lacks spiritual content, and honestly, I think where there at is right where they’re supposed to be. However, be forewarned, FF5 has said that this is concept album. There are metaphorical meanings, but there is a bigger picture to the record. It does lack obvious spiritual content at first glance, but if you dig deeper, you may just find something epic.
In closing, the roots FF5 has developed in their breed of crunk rock have slowly dismantled into their breed of dance pop. However, in no way can you say they have completely forsaken their crunk ways, it does in fact show up in numerous songs such as: “Fever,” “D-I-E 4 Y-O-U,” “Wake the Dead” and “Radiator.”
If you were a fan of Business Up Front you might be slightly surprised with the end result of Dance or Die. However, if you’re looking for another party, you’ve got it! Newcomers, well I don’t think a simple review can quite explain this band or record fully. If you want something very fresh in today’s scene, this will please you. This is an impressive sophomore record and deserves great attention!
Article by Jeremy Koering
